her bare chemise. A servant asked Gillis whether he did not see some
of his people. Gillis said: “Do you know of nothing else to torment
us with?” “What does he say?” asked Govert. “He inquires for our
fellow-brethren,” replied Gillis. Govert said: “Though I could count
twenty, I would not mention a single one. You think that by killing us
you can suppress the word of God: but of those that hear and see this,
hundreds shall yet come forth.” Standing at the stake, he said: “Amend
your ways and repent; for after this there will be no more time for
repentance.” A servant who had a bottle of wine, asked them whether
they wished to drink. Govert said: “We have no desire for your insipid
wine; for our Father shall give us new wine in his eternal kingdom.”
Matt. 26:29. When it was thought that the old woman had been strangled
at the stake, she began to sing a hymn in honor of her Bridegroom,
which when Anneken heard it, she, from ardent love, sang with her. When
they all stood at their stakes, each with a strap around the neck, they
smiled at and nodded to one another, thus affectionately saluting and
comforting each other, and commending their souls into the hands of
God, they fell asleep in the Lord, and were burned.
WILLEM, MARITGEN, DIEUWERTGEN, AND MARITGEN JANS, A. D. 1550.
In the year 1550, there were apprehended at Leyden, in Holland, four
lambs of Christ, namely, a brother and three sisters, named Willem,
Maritgen, Dieuwertgen and Maritgen Jans, who, having frankly confessed
their faith, and no pain or suffering having power to cause them to
apostatize, were finally sentenced to death as heretics.
When they were brought forth, Willem said: “We suffer not as thieves
or murderers, but for the name of the Lord; therefore, O Lord, forgive
them that do this to us.”
Maritgen said: “Lord, strengthen us, who suffer for thy word, which few
are willing to do. I am not worthy to suffer for thy name; but, Lord,
thou shalt make me worthy.” Acts 5:41.
Dieuwertgen came forward singing, and then said: “Dear citizens, do
not avenge this; for it is done for the name of the Lord.” She further
said: “Lord, look upon us, who suffer for thy word; for our trust is in
thee alone.”
Maritgen Jans said: “This is the narrow way to salvation. O Lord,
receive my spirit. And you lords of the council, only consider what
great injury you are doing to your souls, in shedding innocent blood;
hence repent, like those of Nineveh; for we suffer not on account of
heresy or sedition; we seek not to contend, save with the sword of the
Spirit, which is the word of God.” Thereupon, commending their souls
into the hands of God, they offered up their sacrifice, presenting an
acceptable savor to God, for which they will hereafter not lose their
reward.
TEUNIS VAN HAUSTELRAED, A. D. 1550.
As this Teunis van Haustelraed was a zealous man in the fear of God,
and very diligent with the talent which the Lord had committed to him,
to get gain for the Lord, to bring many to the knowledge of the truth,
and to strengthen those who had received the truth, in the same; and as
he thus most faithfully oversaw and served the church of Christ, he was
finally apprehended, and imprisoned at Limmick, a city in the province
of Jueelick, where he had many a severe contest with many subtle and
shrewd spirits, and had to suffer and endure many torments for his
faith. The controversy was principally about infant baptism and the
sacrament, in which he did not agree with the papists. And as he could
not be overcome or moved by them, but adhered firmly to the truth, he
was finally condemned to be burned. They led him out of the city into
the open field, and there burned him to ashes, about the year 1550.
While he was yet in prison, he remembered his brethren and sisters with
a consolatory admonition, which he sent to them from prison; it reads
as follows:
“O God, grant that in my great suffering I may unceasingly press to
thee, and not fear any pain, or death. Yea, dear Lord, I beseech thee,
who art God over all things, that I may not be ensnared by whatever
may and will yet come upon me, which I shall suffer with Christ, unto
salvation; for I know that the crown of life is prepared for those who
persevere herein. Therefore, O ye pious, despair not, but earnestly
betake yourselves to your Captain Christ, for he can win the field;
and he shall come at the last day, in flaming fire, and hold a severe
judgment over all the ungodly. He shall then say to the sheep on his
right hand: ‘Come, inherit the kingdom of my Father, prepared for you
from the foundation of the world.’ Matt. 25:34. O, all ye Christians,
cast from you all that burdens you, and stand with your loins girt, and
watch for the Lord. Heb. 12:1; Luke 12:35.
“If you are righteous, become still more righteous; for, believe me,
you will need it all. O all ye members of Christ together, I beseech
you, wake up now, that you may not sleep when the bridegroom comes; for
then the wise will be admitted to salvation, but the foolish will be
shut out into eternal damnation. Matt. 25:10.
“The Lord, to whom belonged the talent entrusted to you, will come
again, and strictly inquire what each has gained. He shall then
commend the wise, saying: ‘Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.’ But
the slothful shall be reproved for his wickedness, and committed to
torment. Matt. 25:26. O ye lambs of the Lord, feed now, that you may
become ready, so that you may not be unprepared when you are to come
to the wedding. Otherwise the king will say: ‘Friend, how earnest thou
in hither not having a wedding garment?’ Then the man, having no good
answer, shall be speechless. But the king will command him to be cast
into everlasting darkness. Matt. 22:13.
“Do not become buyers of lands, but rather sell, you that are bidden,
and give to the poor. Luke 14:18; Matt. 19:21. O dear brethren, have
compassion on the poor, and comfort and assist them. I have nearly
fought the fight, and my course will soon be finished; God grant that
I may keep the faith, and the crown of life will be prepared for me. 2
Tim. 4:8. O Lord, raise up faithful servants, and make them rulers over
thy household, that they may give them meat in due season. Matt. 24:45.
Pious Christians, I give you this as a brotherly adieu, for your good.
It has been written with a faithful heart, and I hope to seal it with
my blood.”
TIJS VAN LINDT, A. D. 1550.
Tijs van Lindt was a zealous and devout man, a resident of Remunde,
in Guelderland, and walked, according to the knowledge which God had
given him, devoutly in the fear of the Lord; he was especially gifted
with a sympathizing and merciful heart towards the poor and needy, so
that, through the manifold alms and assistance which he rendered to the
poor in general, he had a good report with many; for, with that which
God had given him, he comforted many in their distress. But as he had
forsaken popery with its idolatry, accepted the evangelical truth,
received the saving faith in Jesus Christ, repented of his sinful
life (abused in ignorance), been baptized upon his faith, and daily
sought to go on in the new and holy life, to the honor of God, the
edification of his neighbor, and the enlightenment of those who still
sat in blindness, in order thus to present his body a living sacrifice,
holy, acceptable unto God, the adversaries of the truth could not bear
it, and this pious man was reported and charged with heresy. He was
put into prison, where he had to endure many conflicts and assaults;
they assailed him severely with torments, that he should apostatize
from his faith. But as he notwithstanding all sufferings and torments
steadfastly adhered to his faith, he was finally condemned by virtue of
the imperial mandate, and burned to ashes.
Shortly after the burning of this pious witness of Jesus Christ, in
Remunde, the city itself took fire, and was almost entirely reduced to
ashes. How it was is not known, unless of its own accord. Many think
that it was a punishment for the innocent blood, which judgment we
leave to God.
PALMKEN PALMEN, A. D. 1550.
Palmken Palmen was a resident of Borren, near the bailiwick of Millen,
and was very zealous to live in the truth of the holy Gospel, and to
follow Christ his Lord in obedience, whom he had put on when he was
baptized upon his faith. But as the light is hated by darkness, and
there was at this time a severe persecution in the country, by certain
bloodthirsty authorities, instigated by the priests there, this good
man was often in great distress, and was finally imprisoned, in which
imprisonment he suffered much reproach and many assaults; and as he
immovably kept his faith in every fear and distress, he was finally
sentenced to be burned to ashes, which sentence, as appeared, he
received with gladness; for, when he was taken away from the house at
Borren, he joyfully kept singing a hymn until the last moment, that is,
as long as he had breath, while he was standing at the stake at which
he was burned to ashes; which took place between Sittert and Limmerich,
in the open field, where a gravestone still marks the place where he is
said to have died.
ELEVEN, AND THEN SEVEN, PUT TO DEATH IN THE BAILIWICK OF MILLEN AND
BORREN, A. D. 1550.
A short time previously there were seven brethren at one time, and
eleven at another, executed with the sword, in the bailiwick of Millen
and Borren, and thus bore testimony with their blood to the name of
Christ.
REMKEN RAMAECKERS, A. D. 1550.
There was also a pious and devout brother and fellow-member of the
church of Jesus Christ, named Remken Ramaeckers, burned for the
evangelical truth, near Sittert.
GERRIT VAN KEMPEN, A. D. 1550.
In like manner, Gerrit van Kempen was burned for the testimony of Jesus
Christ, at Wislen.
THREE BRETHREN AT ANTWERP, OF WHOM THE OLDEST WHO WAS SPOKESMAN WAS
NAMED JAN, A. D. 1550.
The malice of the priests was so great that they could not bear it,
that those who sought in quietness to serve God the Lord in simplicity
and sincerity should reside in Antwerp; but they so instigated the
Margrave, that rather than lose his office, he went about to apprehend
them, and having to this end sent out his servants, he arrested three
of them, which caused the priests great joy. The captive brethren, on
the other hand, also rejoiced that they were worthy to suffer for the
name of the Lord. They were sharply examined concerning their faith,
of which they made a good confession, with regard to baptism, and the
sacrament, as well as to other articles; and though greatly assailed
with subtlety by the priests, and the doctors of Louvain, they so
sagaciously defended themselves with the Scriptures, that the Margrave
himself declared that he had never heard so clear an exposition of the
Scriptures, and that if he were with them only two weeks they should
persuade him. Thereupon the brethren said: “Judge yourselves, whether
it is not the true faith and the truth for which we pledge our lives,
and from which we will not depart, but persevere therein to the praise
and the glory of the Lord, who did not forsake us, even when we were
sitting in darkness.” Heb. 10:28; Matt. 24:13; Heb. 13:5; Matt. 4:16.
Now when the doctors produced many Scriptures in a perverted and
wrong manner, the brethren said: “How dare you be so presumptuous
as to teach the way of the Lord so pervertedly?” One of the doctors
replied: “It is because we are not willing to be imprisoned and in fear
and tribulation with you; but in about seven or eight years I will
promulgate the truth aright, and make great gain by it.” “Poor man!”
said one of the brethren, “you trust in a vain hope, since you are sure
of neither evening nor morning, hour nor time,” which came true; for he
died shortly after. Luke 12:20. “Behold,” said they, “you acknowledge
yourselves, that we have committed no crime; why then will you take our
lives?” The council said: “The decree of the Emperor commands us to put
you to death.” “Take then,” said they, “the decree with you into the
judgment of the Lord, and see what it will avail you; indeed nothing.”
They were then sentenced, each to be burned at a stake. This sentence
did not terrify them; but they greatly rejoiced, and comforted each
other. The council said to the youngest: “Pray the Margrave, and he
will very probably release you.” “O no,” replied he, “I will suffer
with my brethren for the truth.” Thus they went together gladly and
boldly to the stakes, saying to one another; “We go in peace to the
peaceable house of God, there to obtain an everlasting habitation.”
They also prayed for the lords, that God would not lay this deed to
their charge, but enlighten them, that they might come to repentance.
Finally, standing at the stake, they cried out: “Heavenly Father,
receive our spirits into thy hands,” and thus they offered up their
sacrifice as true children of God.
ANTHONY VAN ASSELROYE, A. D. 1550.
The Lord Jesus said to Peter, who was not only a lamb of Jesus Christ,
but also a faithful shepherd, elder and overseer of the flock: “Verily,
verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself
and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou
shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and
carry thee whither thou wouldest not.” “This spake he,” says John,
“signifying by what death he should glorify God.” John 21:18,19. Here
no great bishopric, benefice, or yearly stipend is promised to the
high apostle Peter, by his master Christ Jesus, for this his faithful
service, which he should begin and carry out in watching and feeding
the sheep and lambs of the Lord; but much rather tribulation, bonds,
and the bitter death with which he should meet. John 16:33; 15:20.
But even as his Master entered through tribulation and suffering into
his glory, so it was his will, that his servants should follow his
footsteps. This was exemplified, about the year 1550, in the case of
one Anthony van Asselroye, a faithful follower of Christ and his chosen
apostle Peter. He also bowed his neck under the easy yoke of our Lord
Jesus, following him from the whole heart in the regeneration, so that
he was chosen by the church of God, to feed and pasture, like Peter,
the souls of the sheep of the Lord with the word of God; which he
faithfully did in that dark, perilous and bloody time, until he fell
into the hands of the blood-thirsty papists, who bound him, and carried
him whither he would not; for no chastening for the present seemeth to
be joyous to the flesh, but grievous. Heb. 12:11.
Thus this teacher and elder was compelled to tread the bloody
wine-press, and suffered and endured many torments from these
persecutors. And as he patiently passed through all this, and no
tyranny could move him to apostatize, he was condemned and put to
death, and thus torn and devoured by these ravening wolves, according
to the flesh, but in no wise according to the Spirit. But even as this
hero and soldier of Jesus Christ obediently followed Christ and his
faithful followers, in the faith and the regeneration, so he, at the
appearing of the Lord, shall sit with them upon twelve thrones, judging
the twelve tribes of Israel. Matt. 19:28. There he shall receive again,
in glorious immortality, like unto the glorious body of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the members which he delivered into bitter death, for the truth
and the name of the Lord, and shall live with him forever. Philip.
3:21; 1 Thess. 4:17.
Peter Bruynen, who was offered up at Antwerp, A. D. 1551, confesses
that he received Christian baptism upon his faith, by said Anthony van
Asselroye.
JOHN KNEL OR BUCHNER, AND ANNA CANTIANA, A. D. 1550.
In the year 1550, there were imprisoned in the city of London, in
England, two pious witnesses of Jesus, a man by the name of John Knel
or Buchner, and a woman named Anna Cantiana; who, among other things,
believed and confessed with Menno Simon and all true believers, that
the Son of God became man for our sakes, and that he did not receive
his humanity from Mary or any other source, but that the eternal Word,
or Son, became himself flesh or man. As the aforementioned could by no
means be brought to apostatize, but would firmly adhere to the truth
accepted, they, after suffering many torments, were condemned to death
at said place. John Knel was burned the second of May, A. D. 1550.
Anna Cantiana was also burned to ashes the same year. According to the
testimony of John Fox she was ever ready to render service to others
especially to those who were in bonds and imprisonment, with whom she
constantly was, to minister to them. And as these above mentioned
martyrs suffered all this for the testimony of Jesus, and not on
account of any crime, and steadfastly died for the truth, and were not
ashamed of Christ and his word; in this life, before men, he shall also
not be ashamed of them before his Father, but, out of grace, bestow
upon them and all the blessed, the kingdom prepared for them from the
beginning.
Concerning this, see preface to the old _Offerboeck_ of the year 1616,
letter J, other side.
JACQUES DOSIE AT LEEUWAERDEN.
At a certain time, which we have not been able precisely to ascertain,
a lad named Jacques Dosie, was imprisoned at Leeuwaerden, in Friesland,
for the truth of the holy Gospel. It is said that he was only about
fifteen years of age; but the wonder-working God, by the holy Spirit,
manifested his power through this little one, and perfected his praise
out of the mouth of this young child. Matthew 21:16; Ps. 8:2. For, on a
certain occasion, when the lord and lady of Friesland, with many nobles
and ladies, were assembled at Leeuwaerden, they summoned Jacques before
them, conversed with him, and examined him, whether he was contaminated
with any heresy. But the faithful God, according to his promise (Luke
21:14; Matt. 10:19; Mark 13:11; Luke 12:11), gave him a mouth and
wisdom, which they could in no wise resist or quench.
Thus it came, that after a few words the lord of Friesland went
his way, because the people were waiting for him; but the lady of
Friesland, moved to compassion, it seems, talked with him, asking him
why he, who was still so young, was thus severely imprisoned and bound.
Jacques answered: “This was done only because I believe in Christ,
adhere to him alone, and will in no wise forsake him.”
The lady asked him: “Do you not belong to the people who rebaptize
themselves, perpetrate so much evil in our country, make rebellion, run
together, and say that they are dispersed on account of the faith, and
boast of being the church of God, although they are a wicked set, and
cause great commotion among the people?”
_Jacques._ “My lady, I do not know any rebellious people, nor am I one
of their number; but we would much rather, according to the teachings
of the Scriptures, assist also our enemies, satisfy them, if they
hunger and thirst, with food and drink, and resist them in no wise with
revenge or violence.” Rom. 12:20,17; Matt. 5:39.
Another said: “It would be seen, if you only had the power.”
Jacques replied: “O no my lady, believe; if it were permitted among
us, to resist the evil with the carnal sword, know, that no seven men
should have brought me here, and I should have kept out of your hands,
for there would have been power to do it.”
_Lady._ “I know there are such sects, who are very wicked and kill the
people, and also have their goods and wives in common.”
_Jacques._ “O no, my lady, we are quite unjustly charged with these
wicked things, and occasion is thereby sought, to persecute us; but we
must suffer and endure all this with patience.” Matt. 5:11; Acts 21:38;
2 Tim. 2:3.
_Lady._ “Was it not your people, who with great dishonor took up arms
against the government at Amsterdam and Muenster?”
_Jacques._ “O no, my lady; for those people erred greatly; but we
regard it as a doctrine of the devil, to seek to resist the authorities
with the external sword and violence, and would much rather suffer
persecution and death from them, together with everything that is
inflicted upon us.” Rom. 13:1; 1 Pet. 2:13; Tit. 3:1.
_Lady._ “Nevertheless, it is imputed to you, and they who make uproar
do very wrong; however, I believe what you say concerning it.”
_Jacques._ “My lady, do we not read much of this character, how
wicked men spoke evil of the apostles themselves, and the whole band
of Christians, and, by many wicked things, sought to incite the
authorities to vengeance against them, though it was all falsehood?”
Acts 28:22; 24:5; Luke 2:34.
_Lady._ “Do you not believe that all are damned who are not baptized
according to your way?”
_Jacques._ “O no, my lady, for judgment with regard to this belongs
to God alone, who shall reward every one according to his works, as
is clearly evident in many places of the holy Scriptures. Moreover,
the water has not power to cleanse us from sin, as Peter says, but is
merely a sign of all obedience.” 1 Peter 3:21; Matt. 3:15.
_Lady._ “When you are baptized, tell me, can you still sin?”
_Jacques._ “Yes, my lady, for this appears very clearly from the words
of Paul; since we are still clothed in a weak and sinful body, and
sin in many things. Rom. 7:14,18; Gal. 5:17; Jas. 3:2. But we must
constantly crucify and mortify it, and not practice or fulfill the
works of the flesh; or the righteousness of God will condemn us to
eternal death.”
_Lady._ “Wherein do you still differ with the inquisitor, let me hear
once?”
_Jacques._ “My lady, because I will in no wise accept his doctrine,
unless he first clearly prove to me that it accords in every respect
with the word of God; otherwise he labors in vain; for my faith is
founded on the pure word of God alone. As regards the practice of
infant baptism, we contradict it with reason, since it is not a command
of God Almighty, but much rather the invention of men, seeing infants
have not the least knowledge or discernment of what is required or
comprised in baptism. But Christ in his love for such innocent ones has
promised them the kingdom of God through grace, without requiring any
of these conditions. Matthew 19:14; Mark 10:14; Matt. 18:3. My lady, I
find that popery is infected with many other errors besides this; for
they seek to make Christ come into the bread, or that the bread should
become changed into his flesh and blood; which we in no wise believe,
but regard as an exceedingly gross error and absurdity. But we believe
that Christ truly ascended to heaven, and sits on the right hand of his
Father. Mark 16:19; Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9. Thus we do not believe that
there is any salvation in their flour, mass, purgatory, or any of their
services for the dead, and all like human inventions, of which they
have a great number, and all of which are nowhere recognized in the
holy Scriptures, but excluded therefrom. Gal. 1:14; 1 Tim. 4:2. But, on
the contrary, we call upon God and seek our salvation in him, and not
in any creature, that we may not corrupt God’s own glory, and give it
to any of his creatures.” Jer. 13:16; Josh. 7:19.
The provincial having come, he began to speak, and said: “Will you not
believe in the sacrament, which Christ himself instituted?”
_Jacques._ “My lord, Paul says that the bread is broken in remembrance
of him, and that the cup of blessing is the communion of the blood of
Christ.” 1 Cor. 11:24; 10:16. Thus he ended his words.
_Lady._ “I consider this the worst thing in you, that you will not have
the children baptized; for all Germany and every kingdom regards your
doings as heresy.”
_Jacques._ “My lady, it is indeed true that we are everywhere despised,
and, like the apostolical band, evil spoken of in all the world; but
do not think that such shall therefore perish at the last day.” 1 Cor.
4:9; Matt. 5:11; 2 Pet. 2:2.
_Lady._ “My dear child, behold, I pray thee, come over to our side, and
repent, and you shall get out of this trouble, and I promise to procure
your release.”
_Jacques._ “My lady, I thank you very much for your affection and favor
towards me; but I will not change my faith, to please mortal man;
unless it be proven to me with the Scriptures, that I err; for I have
given myself entirely to God, to be his friend, and herein I hope to
live and die.” Galatians 1:10; Phil. 3:8; John 15:14.
_Lady._ “My son, behold this multitude of men; I have compassion for
you, and entreat you, repent of your baptism and do not remain so
obstinate; if you, so young a child, should die for this cause, it
would be a heavy cross for my heart; hence see that you are released,
and may go home.”